FAQs

Who can dive?Anyone aged 10 and older (there are options for ages 8-10 as well), with a reasonable level of physical fitness, comfortable in the water and a spirit for adventure.

Is there an upper age limit for scuba divers?There is no upper age limit on learning to scuba dive. Certain conditions my preclude those of any age from diving, temporarily or permanently, especially conditions associated with lung functions. As long as you maintain relatively good physical and mental conditioning, it’s never too late to learn scuba diving. Many divers continue into their 70’s and 80’s.

Is learning to dive difficult?No, it’s probably easier than you imagine, especially if you’re already comfortable in the water. PADI’s entry-level course consists of pool diving, knowledge development and open water dives. The course is performance based, meaning that you progress as you learn and demonstrate knowledge and skill.

How long does it take to become a certified scuba diver?PADI courses are performance based, which means that you earn your certification when you demonstrate that you’ve mastered the required skills and knowledge. Because some learn faster than others, course duration varies. The PADI Open Water Diver course can be completed in as little as three days.

How old do I have to be to become a certified diver?You must be at least 10 years old to receive a Junior Open Water Diver Certification. 10 and 11 year old Junior Open Water Divers must dive with a certified parent, guardian or PADI Professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters/40 feet. 12 to 14 year olds must dive with a certified adult. At age 15, the junior certification upgrades to a regular Open Water Diver certification.

Are there any special qualifications or considerations to participate in a scuba class?No. Generally speaking, anyone in good average health and at least 10 years old can participate. You will, however, complete a medical questionnaire. If anything on the questionnaire indicates a reason to be cautious about diving, you’ll need check with a physician to make sure you can dive.

Do I have to be a great swimmer to be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver?No. You need to be a reasonably proficient swimmer and comfortable in the water. You must able to swim a distance of 200 metres, without a time or specific stroke requirement. You’ll also perform a 10 minute tread/float during a swim test before or during the course.

Scuba diving sounds exciting, but I’m not sure if it’s for me. Can I try it without signing up for a course?Absolutely! The PADI Discover Scuba experience that lets you try scuba in a swimming pool allows you to make a shallow scuba dive supervised by a PADI Professional. This usually takes a few hours.

What equipment do I need before I take scuba lessons?If you need equipment, Planet Scuba India can help you select quality equipment that fits properly and works within your budget. Most scuba equipment is very durable, so you won’t have to replace it often.

I want to be a diver, but I can’t afford the course. What do I do?We offer internship programs to allow divers of all levels to work towards undertaking our PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC). These internship programs give you the opportunity to work alongside our international and highly experienced IDC Team while you undertake the course.

What is the equipment I need for training dives?During all training dives, each student diver, certified assistant and instructor must have:

During all open water training dives, trainees must also have a timing device, compass, knife/diver’s tool and two surface signaling device – one audible (i.e., whistle, air horn, etc.) and one visual(inflatable surface tube, flare, signal mirror, etc.)
These can be rented or bought at our equipment store.

In the movies and on TV, divers are always running into sharks or eels. Should I be concerned about marine animals?Most aquatic animals are passive or timid. A few do bite or sting, but you can avoid these by not touching them. Divers aren’t natural prey for sharks and therefore shark attacks are rare. Many scuba divers actually seek out shark encounters.

Is scuba diving dangerous?No, but there are potential hazards, which is why you need proper training and certification.

What are the medical conditions that impede diving?Any medical condition which affects your respiratory or cardiovascular systems, or which may render you suddenly and unexpectedly unable to respond quickly or at all, might mean you cannot dive. Common contraindications are asthma, epilepsy, diabetes and heart disease. If you have any of these or other illnesses, which might cause similar problems, consult a doctor before diving.It is not recommended for people with the following conditions to scuba dive:

People with breathing problems.

People with ear problems or people who have had ear surgery in the last 12 months.

People with a cold, flu or congestion. It is not recommended that people with a cold take decongestion medication in order to dive, as this can wear off underwater and cause problems while ascending to the surface.

Other reasons a diving student may be asked to see a doctor include (but are not limited to):

A history of heart or lung disease

An unexplained loss of consciousness or “blackout”

A recent history of nausea or vomiting

The use of prescription or non-prescription medications

Shortness of breath

Repeated trouble clearing air spaces (equalisation)

My ears hurt when I dive to the bottom of a pool. Won’t they hurt when I scuba dive?Your ears hurt because of the water pressure on your eardrum. In your scuba course, you’ll learn simple techniques to equalise your ears to the surrounding pressure, much like you do when you land in an airplane.

I need vision correction. Is that a problem?No. Wearing soft contact lenses shouldn’t be a problem while you dive. However, if you wear hard contacts, you’ll want to dive with gas permeable lenses. See your eye doctor for more information. Another option is to have prescription lenses put into your mask.

What does the diver’s Never-to-do checklist look like?

Never drink and dive – Intoxication can put a diver in a compromised position. One being the inability to use common sense, and make rational judgments, especially when it involves safety.

Don’t eat a big meal before making your dive – You should wait at least two hours after eating before you make your dive. Diving on a full belly can put you in a dangerous situation. Not only creates the possibility of acquiring cramps, but also possible upchucking in your mouthpiece making it difficult to breathe.

Never conceal any serious or chronic medical conditions you know to exist.